Homemade Peanut Brittle is so easy to make! You only need a few ingredients to make this sweet and salty treat that is perfect as a snack or to package up as a holiday gift.
Peanut Brittle Recipe
I always loved peanut brittle as a kid. There was actually a peanut candy bar that was my favorite but I don’t think they sell it anymore. Luckily, it’s really easy to make at home with a little patience.
Don’t be intimidated by the candy thermometer. If you don’t have one, you can pick one up at just about any market or order one on Amazon. The important part is to make sure you just let the thermometer dip into the mixture and not touch the bottom of the pan. If it hits the bottom, it throws off the temperature and you won’t get an accurate reading.
You just need a few ingredients that you probably have in your cabinet – sugar, light corn syrup, butter, baking soda, and peanuts. I opted for roasted peanuts. If you want a higher level of salty to sweet, use salted peanuts.
What does Baking Soda do in Peanut Brittle?
Baking soda might seem like an odd addition to the peanut brittle. It’s added once the sugar mixture has cooked down and becomes acidic. The baking soda creates a chemical reaction causing little air bubbles to form. The candy becomes porous and brittle, making it easy to break into pieces.
Why is my peanut brittle too hard?
If your peanut brittle is too hard, there is likely a moisture issue. Either you didn’t cook all the water out of the sugar mixture or you didn’t store it in an airtight container. Humidity will affect the candy so make sure you store it properly.
How to Make Peanut Brittle from Scratch
This candy is so easy to make, but it does require you to watch the temperature so don’t get distracted!
- Grab a baking sheet with sides (like a jelly roll pan) and cover it with foil.
- Stir together the sugar, corn syrup, and water. Bring the mixture to a boil and continue to boil until the temperature reaches 340 degrees F. It should be golden brown after about 15 minutes.
- Remove the pan from the heat and add butter and baking soda. It will bubble up (that’s the chemical reaction) so work quickly stirring with a silicone spatula until smooth.
- Pour in the peanuts and stir to evenly distribute. Quickly pour the mixture onto the lined baking pan and spray with nonstick cooking spray. Spread it evenly across the pan into a thin layer.
- Let the candy harden, at room temperature (about 30 minutes), and then break into pieces and store in an airtight container.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Peanut Brittle at holiday parties or bag it up in pretty holiday bags with Crockpot Candy, Homemade Hard Candy, and Crockpot Salted Caramel Fudge to give as gifts.
More holiday treats to Love
Peanut Brittle
Ingredients
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light corn syrup
- 1/2 cup water
- 6 Tb unsalted butter cubed
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 1/2 cups roasted peanuts
Instructions
- Line a lipped baking sheet with foil and spray with non-stick spray. Set aside.
- To a medium saucepan, add the sugar, corn syrup, and water. Add in the candy thermometer to the pan making sure it touches the mixture but not the bottom of the pan. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat and then continue to boil until the mixture is golden brown and reaches 340 degrees. This should take about 15 minutes.
- Remove the pan from the heat and quickly stir in the butter and baking soda until smooth. Then stir in the peanuts until evenly distributed.
- Pour the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet and spread evenly with a silicone spoon, working quickly, as it will start to set.
- Let harden at room temperature, about 30 minutes, and then break up into pieces.
- Store in an airtight container.
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